Grand Canyon Rafting

Overview

There are few experiences in life that can compare to white water rafting in the Grand Canyon. It has taken the Colorado River millions of years to create this immense canyon, stretching nearly 280 miles in length and averaging over a mile in depth. You can experience this spectacular geological extravaganza in just eight days on this Grand Canyon rafting trip, and let's not forgot an exciting day exploring legendary Las Vegas. You'll leave civilization far behind as you travel the entire length of the canyon aboard specially designed motorized rafts, embracing the thrill of the white-water and exploring gigantic caverns, emerald pools and waterfalls that can only be found from the water. This is the ultimate Grand Canyon rafting adventure you've been searching for!

Included Highlights

Raft the entire length of the Grand Canyon

Enjoy up to class IV white-water rapids

Spot soaring birdlife

The Grand Canyon’s exhilarating trails

Camp on the banks of the Colorado River

Hike and swim in side canyons

Gourmet meals prepared daily on the river

Bright lights of Las Vegas

Special Departures

On select dates you will be accompanied by a specialist photography guide or a specialist river historian providing unforgettable expeditions on the Colorado River.

See trips departing 20th April & 6th August

Need to Know

Tour Style

Active

Group Size

Max 14

Camping

7 Nights

Other Inclusions

Services of professional rafting guide/boatman

Roundtrip transportation from/to Las Vegas & Colorado River

7 breakfast, 7 lunches & 6 dinners included plus soft drinks

Essential Information

Prices quoted are land only. Call us on 0333 999 7951 for a flight quote (UK only)

This tour is operated by our trusted local partner

This tour requires a minimum number of five to operate. On rare occasions we may run with lower numbers

Trip Dossier

Download the Grand Canyon Rafting trip dossier for tour-specific details including full itinerary, pre-departure information, packing tips and more about our style of travel.

Download Dossier

Itinerary

Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops and highlights. However, as local and operational conditions may vary and unforeseen circumstances can arise, the following itinerary should be used as a guideline.

All departures of this tour in 2019 are guaranteed, so once you've booked you can be sure you're going! This guarantee gives you the confidence to book all of your travel arrangements and simply look forward to your holiday.

2019 Itinerary

Pre-Tour Meeting

There will be a welcome orientation meeting in the lobby of the Residence Inn by Marriott hotel at 20:00 hrs the night before the tour begins. You will meet your group and discuss any questions relating to the upcoming adventure on the river.

Tour Notes

Unlike other, shorter Grand Canyon rafting trips down the upper canyons of the Colorado River, the total number of raft trips allowed down the Colorado River are very limited, as such, we strongly urge you to book early to avoid disappointment.

No previous rafting experience is required, however we do suggest that you are confident in and around water and are willing to live without mobile phone signal for the duration of the trip! Our normal maximum group size is 14 per raft and we will normally operate two rafts so the total group size is 28. On our early and late season tours the group size is typically around 20 as opposed to 28.

Please make sure you have read our trip dossier well before booking. This trip is active and can be basic in nature so it's best to make yourself aware prior to arriving in the Grand Canyon.

An early 05:00 hrs departure takes you to historic Lees Ferry, where your journey will begin and where you'll have your first taste of the mighty Grand Canyon and the snaking Colorado River. Don't let the calm waters fool you, the rapids aren't far away, and as soon as you see the boats you'll be eager to set off on your incredible voyage of discovery.

Accommodation

Camping included

Meals

The Grand Canyon offers the most spectacular geological extravaganza on earth. Despite being a desert setting, plants and wildlife thrive. Cacti, wildflowers, Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer, coyotes and Ringtail Cats may be seen along the banks, while overhead many species of bird may be observed, including hawks, Golden Eagles, falcons, Great Blue Herons and egrets.

You will have the opportunity to hike and swim inside canyons, as well as running class IV white-water rapids. Due to the length of river covered in eight days, specially crafted motorised rafts are used for safety and comfort while rafting in the Grand Canyon. These allow ample supplies to be carried for the entire journey so travellers of all fitness levels can enjoy this incredible experience.

Not all of your time is spent on the water, and you'll have ample time to hike some of the trails and stretch those legs. A visit to Havasu Creek is a highlight for most travellers on this trip with the incredible contrast of colours from the vibrant turquoise blue waters set against a backdrop of rich red rock, simply stunning.

There's no need to pack much for our Grand Canyon rafting trips, the climate is mild and just a few changes of clothes are needed. We supply waterproof river bags and camera boxes so you can focus on enjoying the sights and sounds of the river; hidden trails, secluded riverside campsites and stunning canyon sunsets and sunrises.

A TYPICAL DAY ON THE RIVER

7:00 AM

You awaken to the aroma of freshly-brewed coffee. Although the sun will not flood our camp for some time, the tops of the Grand Canyon's walls are already aglow with sunlight. While eggs, sausages and muffins cook, sleeping bags are being packed.

9:00 AM

You enter a series of rapids and a great Blue Heron takes off down-river, wings pumping; both bird and its surroundings seem somehow prehistoric. Embrace the coolness of the shadow, tilt your head back and see the sunlight slowly making its way down the epic canyon walls.

11:00 AM

South Canyon intersects the river, signalling that Vasey's Paradise is just ahead. A paradise, indeed! Sunlight seems to explode from the fountains of water gushing from the Grand Canyon's walls. Lush growths of moss and ferns seem strangely out of place in this desert setting. You drift close to the gushing water, giving everyone aboard a welcome shower.

12:00 Noon

Our boats stop for lunch in the shade of Redwall Cavern. Inside this great cave, there's room enough for a game of softball!

2:00 PM

As two Golden Eagles soar lazily overhead, you drift quietly along soaking in your surroundings and your boatman tells you the story of Bert Loper's historic river run in 1949. You feel the heat, but soon a roller coaster rapid refreshes you. We sight moon lilies abloom at the mouth of Saddle Canyon. A hike to explore Saddle is topped off with a cold soda.

6:00 PM

You make for Nankoweap, a site of ancient Indian ruins and your campsite for the night. After a dinner of fillet, Dutch-oven potatoes, green salad and cherry cobbler, we hike to the ruins and view the river below.

9:00 PM

Those who cannot stay awake find their sleeping bags. Bed tonight is beneath the Milky Way and a canopy of stars that dwarfs even the Grand Canyon.

Accommodation

Camping included

Meals

Your Grand Canyon white water rafting trip comes to an end with a thrilling jet boat ride along Lake Mead before transferring back to Las Vegas, where you’ll be dazzled all over again. Perhaps treat yourself to a celebratory drink after what can only be described as an incredible adventure, and slowly ease yourself back into normality.

Accommodation

No accommodation included

Meals

Breakfast included

Tour Extras

We offer a whole range of travel extras, from additional hotel nights to flights and insurance, so you can organise everything you'll need for your trip.

If you’ve booked pre or post nights in our gateway cities, spend some time exploring. We’ve partnered with GetYourGuide to make sure you take in all the highlights and experience everything these incredible cities have to offer.

Our specialist flights department can offer UK customers a great airline fare to all of our destinations. We have preferred contracts with many international carriers and have secured some of the most competitive prices in the industry.

At Grand American Adventures we believe that your safety and enjoyment are the most important parts of your holiday. That's why we recommend you take out insurance as soon as your booking is confirmed. We can offer you a comprehensive travel insurance policy which is completely tailored for your trip and is specially designed to include all the activities listed we do.

If you do not take our policy, you must ensure that the policy you do take offers an equivalent level of protection and covers you for the activities involved - be aware that some policies do not include, or restrict, coverage for this type of travel. ​

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the NHS has up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad. For more on security, local laws, plus passport and visa information, see https://travelaware.campaign.gov.uk/

Keep informed of current travel health news by visiting http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk. For all latest travel information about your holiday, please visit our Travel Aware page. The advice can change so check regularly for updates.